Salem runs away with county title

May 9, 2013

SALEM - The Salem girls won the first two field events and United couldn't catch them at the 110th annual Columbiana County Track and Field Meet on Tuesday.

Senior Ciera Trybend repeated as the high-point award winner in the field events and junior Megan Lehwald set a school record in winning the long jump to put the Quakers on their way to a fourth county title in seven years.

"That helped a lot and kind of set the tone for the rest of the meet," Salem coach Amie Cochran said.

Salem totaled 150 1/2 points at Reilly Stadium - the third most in county history - followed by United with 124. It's the ninth straight year they have finished one-two in the team standings.

"It's always beetween us and United every year. They are great competition," Trybend said. "It always come down to the last race and is always close."

Julia Dundon and Marissa Swindell finished 2-3 in the 200 dash and Mallory Maher and Hannah Shaffer did the same in the 3200 run to put it out of reach.

"It was a well-balanced performance," Cochran said. "I can't think of someone to single out because everyone did a great job."

The Quakers had two placers in nine of the 12 individual events.

"Every year it comes down to that," Cochran said. "It was teamwork and everyone pulling together."

"It was nice to get that in our own home," Trybend said.

Trybend repeated in the shot put (36-8) and also won the discus (123-0).

"Every time I look down the sheet and see (Addie) Dunlap from Columbiana, I am excited," Trybend said. "I like to throw against her because she pushes me."

The day was even better for Lehwald, who had a school-record 16-feet-8 in the long jump and teamed with Hannah Texter, Julia Dundon and Marissa Swindell on the winning 800 relay team (1:52.46).

"It's all I have been thinking about," Lehwald said about the long jump recrd. "I've been in the 16s the last two meets, so I knew I had to peak at some time."

She waited until her fourth and final attempt Tuesday.

"It felt good," Lehwald said. "I really wanted to get this record because it has been around for 30 years."

She broke the mark of 16-5 set by Beth Hippely in 1981.

The Quakers took only four first places, but won with their team depth.

"Honestly, I thought it would be a lot closer," Cochran said. "I've got a group of six seniors who lead by example. Their leadership has been the reason for our success."

"I am so proud of my team," Lehwald said. "We're like a family."

Meet notes

United junior Allison Parks turned in an impressive performance with four first places in claiming high-point honors in the field events for the second straight year with 32 1/2 points.

Parks was first in the 400 dash (61.54), 800 run (2:26.46), 1600 run (5:33.46) and teamed with Emily Guappone, Maggie Briceland and Natalie Gamble on the winning 3200 relay (10:16.89).

Guappone also was first in the 3200 run (12:06.5) and ran on the winning 1600 relay team with Chloe Bortmas, Hunter Urmson and Briceland (4:21.84).

The Wellsville girls finished third with 78 points.

Junior Shartece Taylor was first in the 100 dash (12.64), first in the 200 dash (25.76), second in the long jump (16-0 1/2) and ran on the winning 400 relay team for the third straight year along with Angelica Scarabino, Maleya Fultz and Myquia Jones (a meet-record 51.57 seconds).

Columbiana sophomore Shayla Ray won the high jump (5-0). East Palestine senior Chloe Snyder, who was going for her fourth straight county title, took second.

Ray also defended her title in the 100 hurdles (17.18).

Beaver Local junior Sarah Ridgley took the 300 hurdles (50.84) for the second straight year.

Since the girls county meet started in 1977, Salem has won 15 times and finished second 16 times.